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Understanding the principles and philosophy behind constructing an Earth history, focussing on stratigraphy, geochronology and the use of fossils. An introduction to the geological history of New Zealand including paleoceanography, paleoecology, and evolution.
Time and duration are key concepts that underpin much of geology. This course will focus on the techniques and approaches that allow geologists to deal with time, both relative and absolute. The fundamental underpinning is stratigraphy, that is the study of the layers of rocks in the earth's crust and the most important tool for defining stratigraphy is the use of fossils (paleontology). This course teaches all the major stratigraphic approaches and provides an outline of the earth history of New Zealand focusing on the last 65 million years and regional responses to sea-level change and ice sheet growth in Antarctica. It also introduces students to the systematic study of fossils and the use of fossils, both as dating tools and as indicators of past environments. The course concludes by presenting radiometric isotopes dating techniques that now provide absolute age control in many geological settings.What the course entails:Two lectures and one practical class per week.What you need for this course:The required prerequisites for GEOL234 are GEOL111 "Planet Earth" and GEOL112 "Understanding Earth History", or, with HOD permission, GEOL111 "Planet Earth" and GEOL113 "Environmental Geohazards" or GEOL111 "Planet Earth" and GEOL114 "Geoarchaeology: Peopling the Pacific".What this course gets you into:GEOL234 is recommended preparation for GEOL331 and 333. Equally this course provides excellent preparation for all 300 level courses in geology.
GEOL 234 will be a valuable asset for anyone doing any field-based geology courses, or proceeding to any and all 300 level courses in geology. It also teaches basic geological skills useful in areas of ecology and physical geography.
GEOL111 and GEOL112 (GEOL113 or GEOL114 may be substituted for either of these provided a candidate has attained an overall B grade in GEOL 100 level courses, ora standard which is acceptable to the HOD).
Laboratories will be held in Room 221 (200 Level Laboratory, Level 2 Geological Sciences).
Jamie Shulmeister
Kerry Swanson
Boggs, Sam; Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy ; 4th ed; Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006.
Because of the wide scope of this course the recommended book does not cover all topics and additional directed reading will cover other areas.
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Relationship of GEOL234 to Other CoursesYou need at least 36 points from Geology 111, 112, 113 or 114, but you may not count BOTH GEOL113 and GEOL114 at the same time.
Domestic fee $420.00
International fee $1,862.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Geological Sciences .